Arizona Game and Fish: Wildlife Educator STEM Academy – Core Ideas and Concepts

Are you an educator looking to increase your knowledge of wildlife and ecology concepts? Do you want to get classroom-ready lessons and resources aligned to Arizona science standards focused on topics like adaptations, habitat fragmentation, migration, invasive species and more? Then the Arizona Game and Fish Department has the perfect professional development opportunity for you. Join us at the Wildlife Educator STEM Academy focuses on biology core ideas and concepts. This two-day, hands-on workshop is designed to improve participant understanding of key science concepts. Over the course of this workshop, participants will: - Engage in classroom-friendly educational activities that will model teaching instruction while also increasing science content knowledge. - Meet biologists currently working with Arizona’s wildlife. - Reflect on current and new learning and discuss implications for future teaching. - Receive activities and resources to be used back in the classroom. Please read all of the information below to have a better understanding of what to expect during this workshop. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES Activities have been designed with the Arizona science standards in mind. In addition to the general science content (DCIs), we will also address relevant Crosscutting Concepts (e.g., patterns, structure and function) and the Science and Engineering Practices (e.g., obtaining, evaluating and communicating information). We will explore the use of phenomena to drive student exploration and engagement. Our focus will primarily be on elementary (K-6th grade) level standards although educators of all grades and types are welcome to attend. Participants will receive numerous resources and a certificate for at least 12 hours of professional development credit. SCHEDULE AND LOCATION NOTES This workshop does take place over the course of two days. This includes 12 hours of required “seat time” during those sessions. The workshop will take place at the Arizona Game and Fish Department main headquarters located next to the Ben Avery Shooting Facility at I-17 and Carefree Highway in north Phoenix. Most of the time will be spent indoors in a typical classroom/workshop setting. However, it is possible that some time may be spent in the desert-like area located onsite. FEE INFORMATION The fees for this workshop will cover the expenses necessary to run the program as well as all resources that will be provided to the participants. Unfortunately, this does not include food. Participants are responsible for their own lunch and snacks. Adequate time (30-60 minutes) will be provided on both days for participants to get lunch nearby. They can also bring lunch in a cooler or similar carrier if they prefer. REGISTRATION The Arizona Game and Fish Department reserves the right to cancel this program or change venues as necessary. The cancellation policy has been updated to permit participants to cancel up to 18 hours prior to the program with a full refund. Space is extremely limited and registration is required. Spots will be filled on a “first to register” basis. If all spots are filled, additional registrations will be added to a waiting list. The waiting list will be used to fill any spots that result from a cancellation. Registered participants will receive additional information as we get closer to the event. Thursday, July 10, 2025 9:00am - 4:00pm Friday, July 11, 2025 9:00am - 4:00pm